2015
Florida Atlantic
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Florida Atlantic struggled with a tough Schedule in 2014 and finished with just three wins. After upsetting Western Kentucky halfway through the season, they closed the year with five straight losses. The Owls are expected to improve their win total with an easier Schedule and have an over/under sitting at 5 wins.
The Owls scored just 24 points per Game last year, but passed that point total in their final Four Games (all losses). There is hope for improvement as quarterback Jaquez Johnson is entering his senior season and he finished with 17 passing TDs to go with 513 rushing yards and seven more TDs. Expect Johnson to have an even bigger role in this year’s offense. Also in the running Game, Jay Warren (571 yards) and Greg Howell will form a one-two punch. FAU had success on the ground last year (4.4 yards per carry), but it didn’t really turn into points. In addition, the offensive line is stocked with Four starters returning, plus UCF transfer Kelly Parfitt comes into the opening at right tackle.
The passing Game will be a little harder to improve with a lot of new names at receiver. Jenon Stoshak (37 receptions) will likely be the leader with Kalib Woods (16 receptions) and Derek Moise (10 receptions) also having bigger roles.
Defensively, the Owls return five starters from a group that allowed 34.4 points per Game. However, the players they lost from last year’s group were all standouts including multiple guys that went to the NFL. The line has the most talent returning with seniors Robinson Eugene and Trevon Coley leading the way. Linebacker is a bare position with Robert Relf and Nate Ozdemir having the most experience. secondary may be the weakest unit with only one starter returning. Senior corner Cre’von LeBlanc will have to lead the group along with Sharrod Neasman who served as the nickel last season.
Florida Atlantic have an easier Schedule than a year ago as they don’t have to travel to Nebraska and Alabama to start the season. Hosting the Hurricanes should get their adrenaline pumping at home, but getting a win from that Game is unlikely. The Owls have to host Rice and Marshall in back-to-back October Games and then in November have another tough slate: at Western Kentucky, vs. Mid Tennessee and at Florida.
Johnson has a lot on his shoulders at quarterback for this team. Reaching five wins will be tough, especially with another questionable defense and new faces at receiver. The Owls will have to ride the running Game and hope Johnson can have a couple breakout performances to get wins where they are unlikely.
2015 Florida Atlantic Football Schedule
Sept. 5 at Tulsa
Sept. 11 vs. Miami (FL)
Sept. 19 vs. Buffalo
Sept. 26 at Charlotte
Oct. 10 vs. Rice
Oct. 17 vs. Marshall
Oct. 24 at UTEP
Oct. 31 vs. Florida International
Nov. 7 at Western Kentucky
Nov. 14 vs. Middle Tennessee
Nov. 21 at Florida
Nov. 28 at Old Dominion